Abathsahayeswarar Temple

The Abathsahayeswarar Temple is located in Needur and is dedicated to God Abathsahayeswarar. The demon Taraka had obtained a boon from Brahma and powered by that he began harassing the Devas. The Devas sought out God Shiva to plead with him to protect them. But God Shiva was in deep meditation and they could not wake him up. In the eagerness to wake the God, the Devas hit upon a plan. They engaged Cupid (Manmatha) to shoot his arrow of flowers on the God. Opening His third eye in fury, God Shiva reduced Manmatha to ashes. Manmatha's wife Rathi begged the God for her husband. God replied that she would get him back at an appropriate time. Rathi performed penance on the God. Manmatha was restored to life and they both jointly worshipped God Shiva in this temple. Granting darshan to them God came in here as a Swayambulinga (self manifested Lingam). Varuna the God of Rain and King Harischandra are said to have worshipped God Shiva in this temple. The planets Sun, Sani Bhagwan and God Bhairavar are side by side in a shrine within this temple. Though Sani Bhagwan, Son of Sun, is generally considered a malefic planet, He is benevolent to devotees in this temple. Those facing adverse Sani aspects pray here for relief. God Muruga with His consorts is in a different form here, wearing Kuzhai a circle shape design earrings.